Editing HDV using Sony Z1 and FCP 5
 

We're having probs using FCP5 to edit HDV footage shot on a Z1. Someone mentioned that it might be possible to import as DVCAM and then put out the footage as HDV - has anyone tried this and - if so - how did you do it? All advice gratefully received.....

If you use the camera to downconvert to DVCAM and capture that: then that's STANDARD DEFINITION - and you've lost your HD resolution - and you can't get it back on output.

What is the problem you're having with capturing/editing HDV? How new/fast is your Mac?

(Maybe the "someone" who mentioned it, was getting things backwards: you can import HDV, and output that as standard definition - such as DVCAM? - but not the other way round.)

Martin is right, DVCAM is strictly a standard definition format. But you shouldn't be having problems with the Z1 and FCP5, I use both. For starters, make sure your camera is set to record HDV 1080i and that you don't have i.Link convert turned on. Then make sure you are using the HDV 1080i easy setup. Also make sure that you have both FCP and the camera set for the same frame rate, since both the Z1 and FCP can work with either 50i or 60i.

Thanks Martin, Thanks Boyd

Your advice makes sense. This transfer to HD is causing me a few problems. Perhaps I don't understand it fully yet. I am running a 1Ghz Powerbook G4. So I am even having to render a simple drag and drop from the viewer to the timeline. I'm sure it shouldnt be doing this.

Is there a site that can explain it all in a simple manner for somebody like myself who has been doing fine in SD, but is finding the whole HDV thing a bit of a pain.

But perhaps it's not as difficult as I think it is.

Thanks again all.
Karl.

I'm not an expert, but I think if you have to render when you drop footage on the timeline, then your timeline isn't matching your footage. Do as Boyd says and match the footage to an "easy setup" option in FCP.

surely this is posted in the wrong forum??

I think this should be moved to the FCP forum and renamed, but I think the problem is that Karl is running a machine too slow for editing HDV. I have managed to edit HDV without render on a 1.42Ghz eMac, but got the feeling that it was right on the edge of it's capability.

I think a 1Ghz G4 is too slow for HDV. I would recommend editing using AIC if realtime is that important, or editing as DV using downconvert, and then later batch capturing and conforming as HDV.

I don;t knowe if you want a site - hitting Amazon - I can recommend the "Final Cut Pro for Dummies" though am not sure if there is a version for FCP 5 yet (mine was for 4).

FCP 5.1.2 already edits 1080p24 HDV (likely because of the Sony F350/XDCam HD), and I'm thinking no worries with this unit.

hwm